Fiery accident in Chico closes Highway 99; two hurt

Cal Fire-Butte County Capt. Joe Chavez cuts into the hood of a car as firefighters douse flames in the engine compartment after an accident on Highway 99 Friday night. The highway was closed near Cottonwood Road after the crash.(Jason Halley/Staff Photo)

CHICO -- The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 99 for about eight hours Friday near Cottonwood Road after an accident injured two people and left one car a smoldering wreck.

The driver of a white pickup was driving southbound at about 8:15 p.m. on Highway 99 attempting to pass vehicles, said California Highway Patrol officer Tony Nunes. The driver of the pickup tried to pass a semitrailer and was heading into the path of a northbound car that swerved to miss the pickup.

The car ran into a ditch, hit a power pole, and then burst into flames.

When Cal Fire-Butte County arrived, the car was engulfed in flames, but the driver and passenger were out of the vehicle, Nunes said.

The male driver, who was in his 20s, suffered moderate injuries. A female passenger, 19, suffered major injuries with burns to her hands and smoke inhalation. Both were transported to a local hospital.

The power pole was knocked over and PG&E crews were called out to fix the lines.

It's possible the driver of the pickup who caused the car to swerve off the road didn't realize the extent of the accident, according to a press release from CHP.

The driver of the pickup was not at the scene. The highway patrol is asking anyone with information to contact the Chico CHP office at 879-1900.